Rapid deployment indexing terminal arrangement

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic distribution terminal includes a cable spool rotatably disposed within an enclosure; an optical power splitter and a termination region carried by the cable spool; an optical cable deployable from the enclosure by rotating the cable spool by pulling on a connectorized end of the optical cable; and splitter pigtails extending between the optical power splitter and the termination region. One fiber of the optical cable extending between the connectorized end and the splitter input. The other fibers of the optical cable extend to a multi-fiber adapter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.62/117,834, filed on Feb. 18, 2015, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

As demand for telecommunications increases, fiber optic networks arebeing extended in more and more areas. In facilities such as multipledwelling units, apartments, condominiums, businesses, etc., fiber opticenclosures are used to provide a subscriber access point to the fiberoptic network. These fiber optic enclosures are connected to the fiberoptic network through subscriber cables connected to a network hub.However, the length of subscriber cable needed between the fiber opticenclosure and the network hub varies depending upon the location of thefiber optic enclosure with respect to the network hub. As a result,there is a need for a fiber optic enclosure that can effectively managevarying lengths of subscriber cable.

SUMMARY

Some aspects of the disclosure are directed to a fiber opticdistribution terminal including an enclosure; a cable spool disposedwithin the enclosure; an optical power splitter carried by the cablespool; and a termination region carried by the cable spool. Theenclosure includes a base and a cover that is moveable relative to thebase between an open position and a closed position. The enclosuredefines a first cable port, a second cable port, and a plurality ofsubscriber ports. The cable spool is configured to rotate relative tothe enclosure. The optical power splitter rotates in unison with thecable spool relative to the enclosure. The termination region rotates inunison with the cable spool relative to the enclosure. The terminationregion includes single-fiber optical adapters and a multi-fiber opticaladapter. Each of the single-fiber optical adapters defines an adapterport that faces one of the subscriber ports of the enclosure. Themulti-fiber optical adapter defines an adapter port that faces thesecond cable port.

In certain implementations, a first optical cable extending from a firstend to a second end. The first optical cable is wrapped around the cablespool. The first optical cable extends through the first cable port sothat the first end is disposed external of the enclosure. The second endof the first optical cable is routed to the termination region.

In certain implementations, a first optical fiber of the first opticalcable is separated from a remainder of the optical fibers of the firstoptical cable at the second end of the first optical cable. The firstoptical fiber is directed to an input of the optical power splitter,which splits optical signals carried over the first optical fiber onto aplurality of splitter pigtails.

In certain implementations, connectorized ends of the splitter pigtailsare received at the single-fiber optical adapters. In an example, amulti-fiber optical connector terminates the remainder of the opticalfibers of the first optical cable. The multi-fiber optical connector isreceived at the multi-fiber adapter.

In certain implementations, the cable ports are sealed with a gasketwhen the base and cover are disposed in the closed position. In anexample, the gasket includes a first portion mounted to the base and asecond portion mounted to the cover.

In certain implementations, the enclosure is configured to be mounted toa wall.

In certain implementations, cable management structures carried by thecable spool so that the cable management structures rotate in unisonwith the cable spool relative to the enclosure.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a fiber distributionsystem including a network access node receiving a network cable from afiber optic network; a plurality of distribution terminals mounted atseparate locations remote from the network access node; and a pluralityof optical cables routed between the network access node and thedistribution terminals so that optical signals carried by the networkcable are carried to each of the distribution terminals along a firstpath in a first indexing direction and along a second path in a secondindexing direction. At least some of the optical cables are paid outfrom the distribution terminals and excess length of the optical cablesare stored in the distribution terminals.

In certain implementations, the network access node includes a fiberdistribution hub. In some examples, the network access node is disposedin a basement of a multi-story building, and the distribution terminalsare deployed at the various stories in the building. In other examples,the network access node and the distribution terminals are disposed on acommon floor in an office environment. Each of the distributionterminals is spaced from each other and from the network access node.

In certain implementations, at least one of the distribution terminalsincludes a cable spool disposed in an enclosure. The cable spool isrotatable relative to the enclosure to payout the respective opticalcable. The cable spool also is configured to store any excess length ofthe respective optical cable.

In certain implementations, at least one of the distribution terminalsincludes an optical power splitter that splits optical signals onto aplurality of splitter pigtails that are plugged into a plurality ofoptical adapters within the distribution terminal. In certain examples,subscriber fibers enter the enclosure and plug into the optical adaptersto optically couple to the splitter pigtails. In an example, theenclosure is environmentally sealed even when the subscriber fibers areextending through the enclosure.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a fiber opticdistribution terminal including an enclosure defining a first cableport, a second cable port, and a plurality of subscriber ports; a cablespool disposed within the enclosure and being configured to rotaterelative to the enclosure; an optical power splitter carried by thecable spool so that the optical power splitter rotates in unison withthe cable spool relative to the enclosure; a termination region carriedby the cable spool; an optical cable wrapped around the cable spool, andsplitter pigtails extending between the optical power splitter and thetermination region. First ends of the optical fibers of the opticalcable are terminated at a first optical connector. A second end of afirst of the optical fibers of the optical cable is routed to a splitterinput. Second ends of others of the optical fibers are terminated at asecond optical connector. The others of the optical fibers are indexedbetween the first and second optical connectors. The termination regionrotates in unison with the cable spool relative to the enclosure. Thetermination region includes single-fiber optical adapters and amulti-fiber optical adapter. Each of the single-fiber optical adaptersdefines an adapter port that faces one of the subscriber ports of theenclosure. The multi-fiber optical adapter defines an adapter port thatfaces the second cable port. The multi-fiber optical adapter receivesthe second optical connector.

In certain implementations, a second input fiber extending between theoptical splitter and the second optical connector.

In certain implementations, the cable ports and subscriber ports areenvironmentally sealed.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the description, illustrate several aspects of the presentdisclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fiber optic distribution terminalhaving exemplary features of aspects in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of the distributionterminal of FIG. 1 with the first optical cable wrapped around the cablespool;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example multi-dwelling building inwhich multiple distribution terminals of FIG. 1 can be chained togetherto provide an optical fiber distribution system with redundancy; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example office environment in whichmultiple distribution terminals of FIG. 1 can be chained together toprovide an optical fiber distribution system with redundancy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of thepresent disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like structure.

In general, a fiber optic distribution terminal includes a storage spoolfrom which a first optical fiber cable may be deployed. The fiber opticdistribution terminal also includes a termination region at whichmultiple subscriber fibers may be connected to fibers of the firstoptical fiber cable. The termination region is carried by the storagespool such that the termination region rotates in unison with thestorage spool relative to the enclosure when first optical fiber cableis dispensed/deployed from the storage spool. In certain examples, thetermination region includes at least one multi-fiber optical adapter andat least one single-fiber optical adapter.

In use, the first cable is wound around the storage spool and disposedwithin the distribution terminal so that a free end of the first cableis disposed outside of the distribution terminal. Fibers of the firstcable are routed to one or more optical adapters at the terminationregion and connectorized ends of the fibers are plugged into firstadapter ports at the termination regions. The distribution terminal isdeployed in the field.

A user pulls on a free end of the first cable to unwind the first cablefrom the spool and to pull the unwound length of the first cable out ofthe distribution terminal through a cable port. As the user pulls thefirst cable, the first cable causes the storage spool to rotate relativeto the distribution terminal. The termination regions rotate in unisonwith the cable storage spool so that no strain is applied to theconnectorized ends of the fibers of the first fiber optic cable. Theuser continues pulling until a sufficient length of the first cable isdeployed and second adapter ports at the termination region are alignedwith subscriber cable ports of the distribution terminal.

In some implementations, multiple distribution terminals can bedaisy-chained together in the field. For example, the first cable can bepaid out of one of the distribution terminals and a connectorized end ofthe first cable can be plugged into the multi-fiber optical adapter atthe termination region of another distribution terminal. Accordingly,the distribution terminals can be deployed within an environment (e.g.,a multi-dwelling building, an office, etc.) and optically coupledtogether before or when service is connected to individual subscribers.

When subscriber service is desired, the user opens the distributionterminal to access the termination region. The user routes subscriberfibers into the distribution terminal through subscriber cablepass-throughs and plugs connectorized ends of the subscriber fibers intothe second adapter ports at the termination region. When the subscriberfibers are connected at the termination region, the user closes andoptionally secures the distribution terminal.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of an example fiber opticdistribution terminal 100 is shown. The fiber optic distributionterminal 100 includes an enclosure 110 in which a cable spool 120 isdisposed. The cable spool 120 is configured to selectively rotaterelative to the enclosure 110. In certain implementations, the cablespool 120 can be locked in a single rotational orientation relative tothe enclosure 110.

A first optical cable 180 is wrapped around the cable spool 120. A firstend of the first optical cable 180 extends away from the spool 120. Insome implementations, the first end of the first optical cable 180 exitsthe enclosure 110 through a port. In other implementations, the firstend of the first optical cable 180 is sized and configured to be fedthrough the port to allow the first optical cable 180 to exit theenclosure 110. An opposite second end of the first optical cable 180 isrouted through an opening 122 to an exterior of the spool 120.

One or more optical adapters 150 are disposed at the cable spool 120.The optical adapters 150 rotate unitarily with the cable spool 110relative to the enclosure 110. In some implementations, the opticaladapters 150 can be mounted to the flange that extends radiallyoutwardly from the drum of the cable spool 120. In otherimplementations, the optical adapters 150 can be mounted to a framecouples to the cable spool 120. Each optical adapter 150 has a firstport and an oppositely facing second port. In certain examples, thefirst ports of the optical adapters 150 face towards the splitter 130.In certain examples, the second ports of the optical adapters 150 facetowards the wall of the enclosure defining the port.

In some implementations, the optical adapters 150 include one or moremulti-fiber optical adapters 152. In other implementations, the opticaladapters 150 include one or more single-fiber optical adapters 154. Incertain implementations, the optical adapters 150 include one or moremulti-fiber optical adapters 152 and one or more single-fiber opticaladapters 154. In the example shown, the optical adapters 150 include onemulti-fiber optical adapter 152 and eight single-fiber optical adapters154.

At least a first optical fiber 183 of the first optical cable 180 isseparated out from a remainder of the optical fibers 182. The firstoptical fiber 183 is optically coupled to at least an optical connectorreceived at the first port of one of the single-fiber optical adapters154. In certain implementations, the first optical fiber 183 can berouted to an input of an optical splitter 130 (e.g., an optical powersplitter) 130 disposed on the cable spool 120. For example, the opticalsplitter 130 can be mounted to a flange that extends radially outwardlyfrom a drum of the cable spool 120. The optical splitter 130 splitsoptical signals carried by the first input fiber 183 onto a plurality ofsplitter pigtails 184. A connectorized end of each splitter pigtail 184is received at the first port of a respective single-fiber opticaladapter 154.

In certain implementations, others of the optical fibers 182 areoptically coupled to a multi-fiber connector 187 (FIG. 2) received atthe first port of the multi-fiber optical adapter 152. For example,second ends of the optical fibers 182 may terminate at the multi-fiberoptical connector 187. In certain implementations, the optical fibers182 are indexed at the multi-fiber optical connector 187 so that one ofthe optical fibers 182 is received at a first sequential fiber positionof the multi-fiber optical connector 187.

In certain implementations, the first ends of the others of the opticalfibers 182 are terminated at a first multi-fiber connector 188 (FIG. 2)and the second ends of the others of the optical fibers 182 areterminated at a second multi-fiber connector 187. The first and secondends of each of the others of the optical fibers 182 are secured atdifferent fiber receiving positions of the first and second multi-fiberconnectors 188, 187. For example, the first ends are secured atpositions 2-12 of the first multi-fiber connector 188 and the secondends are received at positions 1-11 of the second multi-fiber connector187. The first input fiber 183 is secured at position 1 of the firstmulti-fiber connector 188. Thus, the second ends are each indexed oneposition over with respect to their corresponding first ends. In otherexamples, the second ends can be indexed more than one position withrespect to their corresponding first ends.

In certain implementations, the optical splitter 130 receives a secondinput fiber 185 so that optical signals carried by either the firstinput fiber 183 or the second input fiber 185 are split onto thesplitter pigtails 184. In certain implementations, the second inputfiber 185 is not optically coupled to the first optical cable 180. Incertain examples, the second input fiber 185 is coupled to themulti-fiber connector at which the optical fibers 182 terminate. In anexample, the second input fiber 185 is coupled to the multi-fiberoptical connector at a last sequential fiber position.

Additional information regarding fiber indexing and bi-directional fiberindexing can be found in U.S. Publication No. 2014/0254986, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Cable management structures 140 (e.g., cable spools, bend radiuslimiters, retention tabs, etc.) are disposed at the cable spool 120 toguide the optical fibers 182 and splitter pigtails 184 to the opticaladapters 150.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of the distributionterminal 100 of FIG. 1. The enclosure 110 includes a base 112 and acover 114. In the depicted embodiment, the cover 114 is pivotallyengaged with the base 112. The cover 114 moves between an open positionproviding access to an interior region of the enclosure 110 and a closedposition inhibiting access to the interior region. In certainimplementations, a gasket 116 (e.g., an environmental seal, such as awater-tight gasket) is disposed between the base 112 and cover 114 whenthey are in the closed position. In certain implementations, the cover114 can be locked in the closed position relative to the base 112 (e.g.,by a fastener, by latches, by clamps, etc.).

The base 112 includes a base wall, a first sidewall, an oppositelydisposed second sidewall, a third sidewall that extends between thefirst and second sidewalls and an oppositely disposed fourth sidewall.The first, second, third and fourth sidewalls extend outwardly from thebase wall. In the depicted embodiment, the first, second, third andfourth sidewalls are generally perpendicular to the base wall. The cover114, the base wall, and the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls ofthe base 112 cooperatively define an interior region.

The first sidewall defines a first cable port (e.g., a slot) thatprovides access to the interior region of the enclosure 110. In certainexamples, the first cable port extends along a height of the firstsidewall. In an example, the first cable port extends the full height ofthe first sidewall. The first cable port is adapted to provide a paththrough which the first optical cable 180 can exit the interior regionof the enclosure 110. In certain implementations, the enclosure 110includes an additional cable port extending through the fourth sidewall.The additional cable port is adapted to provide an alternate locationthrough which the first optical cable 180 can exit the interior regionof the enclosure 110.

The first sidewall of the enclosure 110 also defines a plurality ofsubscriber cable ports. In the depicted embodiment, the subscriber cableports are aligned along a width of the first sidewall. In certainimplementations, each subscriber cable port is sized to enable at leasta subscriber fiber to extend through the subscriber port and into theinterior region. In certain implementations, the subscriber ports aresized to enable a subscriber cable including a buffered or jacketedfiber to enter the interior region of the enclosure 110.

In certain implementations, the first sidewall of the enclosure 110 alsodefines a second cable port through which a second optical cable canenter the interior region of the enclosure 110. For example, the secondoptical cable can extend into the enclosure 110 and plug into the firstadapter port of the multi-fiber optical adapter 152 disposed at thetermination region. In certain examples, the second cable port isaligned with the subscriber cable ports. In the example shown, thesubscriber ports are disposed between the first and second cable ports.

In certain implementations, the gasket 116 extends across the cableports. In some implementations, the gasket 116 includes a first portion160 that defines open-ended slits 162, 164, 166 at the cable ports. Forexample, the gasket 116 defines a first slit 166 aligned with the firstcable port to enable the enclosure to remain environmentally sealed evenwhen the first optical cable 180 extends into the enclosure 110; thegasket 116 defines a second slit 162 aligned with the second cable portto enable the enclosure to remain environmentally sealed even when asecond optical cable 190 extends into the enclosure 110; and the gasket116 defines one or more slits 164 aligned with the subscriber cableports to enable the enclosure 110 to remain environmentally sealed evenwhen subscriber fibers extend into the enclosure 110. In certainimplementations, the gasket 116 includes a second portion 165 thatselectively closes the open-ended slits. For example, the first portion160 may be mounted to the base 112 and the second portion 165 may bemounted to the cover 114. In an example, the first and second portions160, 165 are gel-type seals. In another example, the first and secondportions 160, 165 are foam-type seals.

Additional information regarding enclosures and cable spools suitablefor supporting the cabling described above can be found in U.S.Publication No. 2013/0094828 and U.S. Publication No. 2013/0209049, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate two environments in which the distributionterminal 100 can be utilized. FIG. 3 shows multiple distributionterminals 100 daisy-chained together in a multi-dwelling building 200.The building 200 has multiple floors 201-204. In the example shown, thebuilding 200 has four floors 201-204. In other implementations, thebuilding 200 may have any desired number of floors.

An access point of an optical network is disposed at one of the floors.For convenience, this disclosure will assume that the access point is afiber distribution hub 210 disposed at the bottom floor 201 (e.g., abasement, a street-level floor, etc.) of the building 200. Adistribution cable 205 is routed into the building 200 and received atthe fiber distribution hub 210. In other examples, the hub 210 can bedisposed at any of the floors 201-204. In still other examples, othertypes of network access nodes can be utilized.

A first distribution terminal 100A is mounted at a second floor 202 ofthe building 200. The first optical cable 180A of the first distributionterminal 100A is paid out from the cable spool 120 so that aconnectorized end of the first optical cable 180A can be connected atthe fiber distribution hub 210. Accordingly, optical network signalsprovided to the fiber distribution hub 210 can be carried to the firstdistribution terminal 100A and made available to any subscribers on thesecond floor 202 via the subscriber ports 154A. The optical signals alsoare made available via the multi-fiber connector 187A plugged into thefirst port of the corresponding optical adapter 152.

A second distribution terminal 100B is mounted at a third floor 203 ofthe building 200. The first optical cable 180B of the seconddistribution terminal 100B is paid out from the corresponding cablespool 120 so that a connectorized end 188B of the first optical cable180B can be plugged into the multi-fiber adapter 152A of the firstdistribution terminal 100A to mate with the multi-fiber connector 187A.Accordingly, optical network signals provided to the fiber distributionterminal 100A can be carried to the second distribution terminal 100Band made available to any subscribers on the third floor 203 via thesubscriber ports 154B. The optical signals also are made available viathe multi-fiber connector 187B plugged into the first port of thecorresponding multi-fiber adapter 152 of the second distributionterminal 100B.

A third distribution terminal 100C is mounted at a fourth floor 204 ofthe building 200. The first optical cable 180C of the third distributionterminal 100C is paid out from the corresponding cable spool 120 so thata connectorized end 188C of the first optical cable 180C can be pluggedinto the multi-fiber adapter 152B of the second distribution terminal100B to mate with the multi-fiber connector 187B. Accordingly, opticalnetwork signals provided to the second fiber distribution terminal 100Bcan be carried to the third distribution terminal 100C and madeavailable to any subscribers on the fourth floor 204 via the subscriberports 154C. The optical signals also are made available via themulti-fiber connector 187C plugged into the first port of thecorresponding multi-fiber adapter 152 of the third distribution terminal100C.

The system of FIG. 3 uses indexing of fibers to ensure that a live fiberwill be provided at the first fiber position of a first multi-fiberconnector 188 received at the multi-fiber optical adapter 152 when thedistribution terminals are strung together in a chain. After eachindexing step, an additional fiber is no longer used since it is notconnected to service through the first multi-fiber connector 188. Theunused fibers in this instance would be dead fibers.

In certain implementations, another optical cable 190 can be routed fromthe fiber distribution hub 210 to the multi-fiber optical adapter 152Cof the third distribution terminal 100C to mate with the multi-fiberconnector 187C. The optical cable 190 provides redundancy within thesystem by providing a second path by which optical signals can becarried from the fiber distribution hub 210 to all of the distributionterminals 100A, 100B, 100C.

For example, the dead fibers can be used to carry signals as livefibers. These signals are carried from the fiber distribution hub 210,over the cable 190 to the third distribution terminal, over the cable180C to the second distribution terminal 100B, over the cable 180B tothe first distribution terminal 100A. This implementation can double thecapacity of the system by having signals traveling in one direction asthey are indexed up in the multi-fiber connectors, and a second set ofsignals in the opposite direction as the fibers are indexed into themulti-fiber connectors as new fibers.

The above bi-directional usage is advantageous in a fiber loop or fiberring. Another advantage could arise as a redundant fiber path that couldserve the drop locations that are downstream from a cable cut. Thesystem of FIG. 3 removes the dead fibers and provides options for usingthem as live fibers with the bi-directional usage. The number can varyas the number of fibers in the multi-fiber connector varies.

FIG. 4 illustrates multiple distribution terminals 100A-100D deployed inan office environment. In the example shown, the office 250 is locatedon a single floor 251 of a building. In other implementations, theoffice 250 can be spread over multiple floors. In some implementations,the cabling between the distribution terminals 100A-100D can be disposedbelow the floor 251. The office 250 is divided into various workstations252A-252D at which desks, cubicles, or various types of equipment (e.g.,Optical Network Terminals) can be disposed. In the example shown, eachworkstation 252A-252C has a corresponding distribution terminal100A-100D.

In certain implementations, the distribution terminals 100A-100D aremounted at the respective workstations 252A-252D. The first opticalcables 180A-180D are paid out from the corresponding cable spools 120and the connectorized ends 188A-188D are plugged into ports at the hub260 or previous terminal 100A-100C. The subscriber ports 154A-154D areavailable to provide optical signals to equipment or ports at the workstations 252A-252D.

In certain implementations, an optical cable 190 connects the fiberdistribution hub 260 to the last distribution terminal in the chain(i.e., the fourth distribution terminal 100D in FIG. 4). Accordingly,the optical cable 190 and unused fibers provide a second path alongwhich optical signals can reach the distribution terminals 100A-100D.

Having described the preferred aspects and implementations of thepresent disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosedconcepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it isintended that such modifications and equivalents be included within thescope of the claims which are appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic distribution terminal comprising:an enclosure including a base and a cover that is moveable relative tothe base between an open position and a closed position, the enclosuredefining a first cable port, a second cable port, and a plurality ofsubscriber ports; a cable spool disposed within the enclosure and beingconfigured to rotate relative to the enclosure; an optical powersplitter carried by the cable spool so that the optical power splitterrotates in unison with the cable spool relative to the enclosure; and atermination region carried by the cable spool so that the terminationregion rotates in unison with the cable spool relative to the enclosure,the termination region including a plurality of single-fiber opticaladapters and a multi-fiber optical adapter, each of the single-fiberoptical adapters defining an adapter port that faces one of thesubscriber ports of the enclosure, and the multi-fiber optical adapterdefining an adapter port that faces the second cable port.
 2. The fiberoptic distribution terminal of claim 1, further comprising a firstoptical cable extending from a first end to a second end, the firstoptical cable being wrapped around the cable spool, the first opticalcable extending through the first cable port so that the first end isdisposed external of the enclosure, the second end of the first opticalcable being routed to the termination region.
 3. The fiber opticdistribution terminal of claim 2, wherein a first optical fiber of thefirst optical cable is separated from a remainder of the optical fibersof the first optical cable at the second end of the first optical cable,wherein the first optical fiber is directed to an input of the opticalpower splitter, which splits optical signals carried over the firstoptical fiber onto a plurality of splitter pigtails.
 4. The fiber opticdistribution terminal of claim 3, wherein connectorized ends of thesplitter pigtails are received at the single-fiber optical adapters. 5.The fiber optic distribution terminal of claim 3, wherein a multi-fiberoptical connector terminates the remainder of the optical fibers of thefirst optical cable, and wherein the multi-fiber optical connector isreceived at the multi-fiber adapter.
 6. The fiber optic distributionterminal of claim 1, wherein the cable ports are sealed with a gasketwhen the base and cover are disposed in the closed position.
 7. Thefiber optic distribution terminal of claim 6, wherein the gasketincludes a first portion mounted to the base and a second portionmounted to the cover.
 8. The fiber optic distribution terminal of claim1, wherein the enclosure is configured to be mounted to a wall.
 9. Thefiber optic distribution terminal of claim 1, further comprising cablemanagement structures carried by the cable spool so that the cablemanagement structure rotate in unison with the cable spool relative tothe enclosure.
 10. A fiber distribution system comprising: a networkaccess node receiving a network cable from a fiber optic network; aplurality of distribution terminals mounted at separate locations remotefrom the network access node; and a plurality of optical cables routedbetween the network access node and the distribution terminals so thatoptical signals carried by the network cable are carried to each of thedistribution terminals along a first path in a first indexing directionand along a second path in a second indexing direction, wherein at leastsome of the optical cables are paid out from the distribution terminalsand wherein excess length of the optical cables are stored in thedistribution terminals.
 11. The fiber distribution system of claim 10,wherein the network access node includes a fiber distribution hub. 12.The fiber distribution system of claim 10, wherein the network accessnode is disposed in a basement of a multi-story building, and whereinthe distribution terminals are deployed at the various stories in thebuilding.
 13. The fiber distribution system of claim 10, wherein thenetwork access node and the distribution terminals are disposed on acommon floor in an office environment, each of the distributionterminals being spaced from each other and from the network access node.14. The fiber distribution system of claim 10, wherein at least one ofthe distribution terminals includes a cable spool disposed in anenclosure, the cable spool being rotatable relative to the enclosure topayout the respective optical cable, the cable spool also beingconfigured to store any excess length of the respective optical cable.15. The fiber distribution system of claim 10, wherein at least one ofthe distribution terminals includes an optical power splitter thatsplits optical signals onto a plurality of splitter pigtails that areplugged into a plurality of optical adapters within the distributionterminal.
 16. The fiber distribution system of claim 15, furthercomprising a plurality of subscriber fibers that enter the enclosure andplug into the optical adapters to optically couple to the splitterpigtails.
 17. The fiber distribution system of claim 16, wherein theenclosure is environmentally sealed even when the subscriber fibers areextending through the enclosure.
 18. A fiber optic distribution terminalcomprising: an enclosure defining a first cable port, a second cableport, and a plurality of subscriber ports; a cable spool disposed withinthe enclosure and being configured to rotate relative to the enclosure;an optical power splitter carried by the cable spool so that the opticalpower splitter rotates in unison with the cable spool relative to theenclosure; an optical cable wrapped around the cable spool, the opticalcable including a plurality of optical fibers, first ends of the opticalfibers being terminated at a first optical connector, a second end of afirst of the optical fibers being routed to a splitter input, and secondends of others of the optical fibers being terminated at a secondoptical connector, wherein the others of the optical fibers are indexedbetween the first and second optical connectors; a termination regioncarried by the cable spool so that the termination region rotates inunison with the cable spool relative to the enclosure, the terminationregion including a plurality of single-fiber optical adapters and amulti-fiber optical adapter, each of the single-fiber optical adaptersdefining an adapter port that faces one of the subscriber ports of theenclosure, and the multi-fiber optical adapter defining an adapter portthat faces the second cable port, the multi-fiber optical adapterreceiving the second optical connector; and a plurality of splitterpigtails extending between the optical power splitter and thesingle-fiber optical adapters.
 19. The fiber optic distribution terminalof claim 18, further comprising a second input fiber extending betweenthe optical splitter and the second optical connector.
 20. The fiberoptic distribution terminal of claim 18, wherein the cable ports andsubscriber ports are environmentally sealed.